The Effects of Environmental Manipulation on Different Learning Theories
INTRODUCTION
The environment plays a crucial role on our behaviour. Environmental
Manipulation is about the circumstances, people, things and events
around people that influence their life. The purpose of this paper is
to prove the affects environment has on behaviour and whether a
person’s behaviour is determined by their upbringing (nurture) or by
their genetic characteristics (nature). The research is important
because if we were to find that the way someone is, is controlled by
genetic factors then changing there behaviour will be extremely
difficult. On the other hand if their social background determined
someone’s behaviour then it could be far easier to deal with
behavioural problems. The essay will begin with the nature-nurture
debate. This will be followed by case studies. Learning theories of
Piaget and Vygotsky will also be discussed and finally an overall
conclusion will follow.
NATURE VS NURTURE
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Nature vs. nurture has been an oscillating controversy in the field of
psychology for many years. Does one inherit genes, or does the
environment affect one’s genes? The basis of nature is the principle
that people have their personalities engraved inside their genes,
which are inherited from their parents. The basis of nurture is that
the environment plays a big role in the development of a person’s
personality. Both nature and nurture, therefore, play a crucial role
as the determining factors of one's intelligence, personality, and
behaviour.
Early studies have focused mainly upon the environmental influence,
...
... middle of paper ...
...icant effect on
the way that children cognitive processes have been studied and they
have also had a profound effect on education. It would be fair to say
that Vygotsky did not reject all of the elements of Piaget’s theory
but took the weak areas and strengthened them by taking into
consideration socio – cultural factors and language for example.
REFERENCE
Gupta and Richardson, (1995) Children’s Cognitive and Language
Development, Blackwell Publishers Ltd in association with the Open
University.
Wood, D. (1998) How children think and learn (Second Edition),
Blackwell Publishers
Sutherland, P (1992) Cognitive Development Today, Paul Chapman
Publishing Ltd
Harris J.R. (1999) The Nurture Assumption, Bloomsbury Publishers
Video : ‘Wild Child’
(http://kccesl.tripod.com/genie.html 15 April 2005)
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All behaviours rest on learned responses to given stimuli. Within the behaviourist theory there are three theorist. I am going focus mainly on skinners beliefs, however I feel its important that I mention the other two theorists Pavlov and Watson.
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The debate of nature vs. nurture still continues today in the world of psychology. The effects of an individual’s genetics and the effects of their environment on their personality and actions is an age old debate that is still inconclusive. However, it is evident that both sides of the argument carry some form of the truth. It can be contended that the major characteristics of an individual are formed by their environment, more specifically, their past experiences. An individual’s past moulds and shapes their identity, if they do not make an effort to move on from it. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows that clinging on to the past prevents individuals from fully experiencing the present, eventually leading to resentment, dissatisfaction, and misjudgements.
When discussing human characteristics many statements are made regarding whether or not an individual was born with certain traits, or if they were raised in an environment that instilled the traits in them. This conflict is what is known as the nature and nurture argument, and in the study of behavior this argument is difficult to avoid. However the general consensus is that there is interplay between nature and nurture, that the characteristics and mannerisms that make up an individual are not dependent on one or the other. Generally there are two conclusions are made by research that is done concerning this argument; research that concludes that there is interplay and research
In the world we live in reality in an individual’s eyes will always be based on things and people that surround that person. In Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory of human development there are four main concepts supporting his theory which are Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, and Macrosystem. The basic idea behind this theory is that the environment will always influence the reality of an individual. On the other hand there are those who stand by the idea that a person’s biological influences are the key factors which will influence the way an individual accelerates in life. In Piaget’s theory of cognitive development he stands by the idea that we as humans have different stages in which we achieve a higher cognitive ability based on our biological capabilities. Although both of these theories have significant reason behind them I feel that from a teachers point of view a child’s social interactions with the outside world have the biggest effect when it comes to development and their motivation and will to succeed in life.
“Personality is the combination of thoughts, emotions and behaviors that makes everyone unique. It 's the way people view, understand and relate to the outside world, as well as how they see themselves. Personality forms during childhood, shaped through an interaction of these factors: Genetics and Environment.” (Staff M. C., 2013) Genetics plays a major role in a person’s life because this has to deal with the person’s genes, DNA, and also traits. Each individual inherited two copies of genes, one from each parent. The type of genes passed down to a child can affect the lifestyle of that child if there are any possible disorders or diseases. The environment around us shapes who we are as an individual. Different environments gives off different behavioral skills. If there are any negative influences in the environment, such as violence in the home or community, this solely affects the way an individual is
Both operant and respondent conditioning are methods both teach concepts, but are significantly different in their deliveries. A website called Tutor2U disclosed some of the differences, such as, respondent conditioning is involuntary and based on reflexes, whereas operant conditioning is voluntarily controlled and is followed by a change in behavior. Additionally, respondent action is usually followed by a stimulus. Likewise, an operant response or action comes before either a punishment or an incentive. Lastly, in respondent conditioning, the stimulus is either pleasant or unfavorable, whereas the operant rewards system leads to a perception of the stimulus as a punishment to be a recurrence or elimination (Similarities and Differences
People’s “upbringing and even [people’s] culture … shape who [people] are” and their personality (Cherry). In the end, it comes back to the archaic argument of nature vs. nurture. Nowadays, most people agree that “a mixture of the two forces ultimately shape[s] [people’s] personalities” and decision making (Cherry). While genetics sets boundaries and comforts, the events that happen in adolescence add detail and shape to people’s personalities.
...agreed with Piaget as his theory ignored the social environment. Vygotsky argued society was essential to child development as it allowed child interaction with others. He argued that language is acquired by the child “internalizing social interactions”. A child learns from another person and after interactions are repeated several times the child internalizes it. Vygotsky argued this can only be achieved with another person and carried out in the child’s “zone of proximal development”. Both Vygotsky and Piaget felt a child was active in the their own development. Vygotsky argues environment and its interactions shape the child, in contrast Piaget’s theory is more biologically linked.
As humans, we have the ability to adapt to our environment and surroundings. We have all tried to hide our true personality in order to be accepted, and have imitated other people. A person’s personality changes as they are exposed to different situations. Since the person changed, one will find a new way to deal with different situations. After, they might influence their friends to change as well. However, the changes could be on the good side or the bad side. This is how nurture changes us over time. Nurture is the environment that we live in and is the dominant factor of one’s personality. Through the changes from nurture, we change our views on different situations and behaviours from family influence, peer pressure, and culture.
Undoubtedly, humans are unique and intricate creatures and their development is a complex process. It is this process that leads people to question, is a child’s development influenced by genetics or their environment? This long debate has been at the forefront of psychology for countless decades now and is better known as “Nature versus Nurture”. The continuous controversy over whether or not children develop their psychological attributes based on genetics (nature) or the way in which they have been raised (nurture) has occupied the minds of psychologists for years. Through thorough reading of experiments, studies, and discussions however, it is easy to be convinced that nurture does play a far more important in the development of a human than nature.
Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky are two very well-known theorists who emphasized the development of cognition in their theories. In Piaget’s Cognitive Developmental theory, he claimed that children go through a series of stages, which he used to describe human development. In Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory of Learning, he believed culture and social interaction played a role in cognitive development. Although Piaget and Vygotsky both focused their theories on cognitive development they take different stances a series of developmental issues. This paper will look at the similarities and differences between these theorist’s views on critical developmental issues, such as view of human nature, mechanisms of development, and their
Have you ever wondered where you got your personality from? The nature and nurture debate is a discussion about whether being raised shapes your personality more, or genetics which you get from your parents. Nature is genetics from the parents and makes the features of you. Nurture describes what you’re parents act like and if you act like them now. Nurture affects the child’s brain by everything the parents do with the child and how the child will act. Nurture reflects on how the child will listen and how the child will act. Nature and Nurture are both very important in a child’s life but nurture is more important. Nurture is how they treat you and how much they take care of you, which is an important part of growing up.